A lot of folks view Samhain as the beginning of the new year, Happy New Year to those of you that do, but I don’t and I was recently told that I was wrong. *humph* Since I know you’re going mad wondering, here’s why…

The calendar on my fridge doesn’t end until December. This would mean two calendars, which would take up most of the fridge and get really confusing for two months. I’d miss appointments, my cats would never get to the vet, birthdays would be forgotten…it would be a mess. ;)

More seriously, I’m not of Celtic descent nor do I follow a Celtic tradition*. Since the acknowledgment of Samhain as the beginning of a new year resides with the Celts, that lets me out.

It doesn’t feel like New Year or new beginnings. Nothing happens on Samhain, the days don’t begin to get longer or shorter, the sun doesn’t begin to grow stronger or weaker, flowers aren’t bursting from their bulbs. Sure it is the last harvest and the bringing in of the herds in some climates, primarily in northern colder areas like the mid-Atlantic states and the British Isles; it is not so where I live.

The energy of Samhain is about death and moving into a resting period. The hard work of the planting, growing, harvesting seasons has finally been completed so we and the earth are rightful to be tired and in need of a snooze before we begin thinking about gestating any new ideas, endeavors or crops. Hardly the pop of a fresh start I envision as the new year, it feels more like the beginning of the end of the old year and a good time to curl up and take a long winter’s nap.

Maybe we feel like a resting period is a waste of time.  We’re always connected, always going.  How silly of us.  Nature knows it needs a rest; animals hibernate, fields lay fallow and trees stand barren.

If the period between Samhain and the winter solstice is like a good night’s sleep, then the winter solstice is the soft rays of sunlight streaming in the window to wake me up.

I celebrate New Year and make my resolutions on winter solstice, when the resting period has ended and the sun begins to grow in strength, assuring me of the promise of spring. This feels like a new beginning to me. I’m fully rested, waking up and looking forward to beginning all over again.

A strong argument could be made for celebrating new year on the spring equinox, but I’d would have that whole calendar issue again. ;)

*For anyone wondering why I posted 9 Days of Samhain if I’m not Celtic, Samhain is November Eve in my house which we celebrate like a combination of Thanksgiving and the Feast of All Souls so it’s pretty close to the same thing. Plus, 9 Days of November Eve just didn’t have a catchy ring to it.

Interesting Link: The History of New Year, with information about alternative new year celebrations still being observed the world over.